About Us

History

Union of Leicestershire and Rutland Provinces and Formation of the Vale of Catmos Lodge

The decision of the Rutland Lodge No.1130 to apply for a Warrant of Constitution to permit the formation of a new Lodge, to be named the Vale of Catmos Lodge, which was to meet at Oakham, set more wheels turning than is normal on such occasion. For the Lodge-to-be lay in territory that had since 1776 enjoyed titular status as a Province, though lacking any Provincial organisation and – since the death of the renowned Hippolyto Jose da Costa – without a Provincial Grand Master. The solution favoured by the M.W. Grand Master was to instruct the P.G.M. of Leicestershire to take the smaller Province under its jurisdiction. This was accordingly done, and on 30th September 1869 the Provincial Grand Lodge was summoned to meet at Oakham in the Agricultural (now Victoria) Hall for its AGM, in the course of which the new Lodge was to be consecrated.

The adoption of the by-laws meant that the new Lodge had its meetings regulated by the full moon. This was no innovation; it had been, and remained until 1899, the practice of the mother Lodge, and no doubt the Vale of Catmos Lodge was happy to avail itself of the idea, which, in the days of narrow lanes, poor road surfaces and ineffective lighting, and when farm cart, pony trap or saddle-horse were the only alternatives to walking, was a thoroughly sensible one. Moreover a horse which had not dined would be quite likely to know the way home better than its master, who had, and could pick his way more comfortably by the moon’s light.

Member groups

It is noted that seven of the ten Founders were members the Rutland Lodge, and of the ten Founders, three had the title The Reverend and have their occupation listed in the original minute book as clerk in H.O.; two are listed as farmers, with actuary, doctor, gentleman, land agent and maltster being the recorded occupations of the remaining Founders.

It should not be forgotten that in its earliest days the Vale of Catmos Lodge was very much a country Lodge. Of the first nine Worshipful Masters no less than seven of them were farmers. In modern times there is no one major member group (except for retirees (!)) although in the late 20th century there were a number of former teachers and shopkeepers. Today members’ occupations cover a broad spectrum of professions and occupations.

Other special considerations

Forming other Lodges

In October 1964 a petition to the M.W. Grand Master applying for a Warrant of Constitution to permit the formation of a new Lodge, to be named the Old Oakhamian Lodge No.8033, was received, approved and signed by the Master and Wardens with due ceremony. Similarly in 1984, the Vale of Catmos Lodge sponsored a third Lodge in Rutland to be named the Uppingham-in-Rutland Lodge No.9119.

Bad and good times

The Vale of Catmos Lodge had its ups and downs. Two particularly difficult periods were during the two World Wars 1914–1918 and 1939–1945 but it survived and grew in strength. The Lodge also had a bad patch in the late 1990s and in 1997 reduced its number of meetings from seven to four per year due to resignations and lack of candidates. However in the early 2000s the situation began to improve for a variety of reasons and in 2006 the Lodge reverted to seven meetings a year.

The move to Oakham School

This move was initiated by a change of arrangements at the Victoria Hall, and the Lodge considered this to be an ideal opportunity to utilise the accumulated funds of a member’s legacy to secure long term accommodation for the Lodge. The first meeting at Oakham School was held in October 2006 and in August 2008 an agreement between the Lodge and school was signed enabling the Lodge to firmly re-establish itself in Oakham.